Matrix reactor and a method for producing products in said reactor

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns a matrix reactor for reactions in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved wherein the reactor space V R  contains a matrix and comprises a reaction compartment and a supply compartment, wherein the matrix is composed of a porous material which can take up low-molecular reactants and wherein the exclusion volume V 0  of the matrix is available as the reaction compartment and the matrix volume V M  of the matrix is available as the supply compartment. The matrix reactor can be used for enzymatic processes, in particular for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins.

The present invention concerns a matrix reactor for reactions in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved wherein the reactor space V_(R) contains a matrix and comprises a reaction compartment and a supply compartment, wherein the matrix consists of a porous material which can take up low-molecular reactants and exclude high-molecular reactants and wherein the exclusion volume V₀ of the matrix is available as the reaction compartment and the matrix volume V_(M) of the matrix is available as the supply compartment. The matrix reactor can be used for synthetic processes involving high-molecular catalysts (e.g. enzyme-catalysed reactions) and in particular for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins.

An example of a reaction in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved is the in vitro transcription/translation reaction for the production of proteins. Reactors operating in a batch mode or using a process with a continuous supply and which are especially suitable for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction for the production of proteins are already well known to a person skilled in the art (Baranov & Spirin (1993) Meth. Enzym. 217, 123–142). In a process for the coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction for the production of proteins, a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase is used to synthesize the corresponding mRNA from a DNA template in a reaction mixture and the mRNA is then translated into protein by the ribosomal machinery. The reaction solution has a very complex composition. It contains low-molecular components (substrates, buffers, salts, activators, inhibitors, stabilizers) and high-molecular components (DNA template, RNA polymerase, ribosomes, tRNAs, enzymes, regulatory proteins). Some of the components are added in a purified form. Some of the important translation components (ribosomes, enzymes, regulatory proteins) are presently added to the system as cell extracts e.g. E. coli S30-lysate, reticulocyte lysate or wheat germ lysate. The yields of a coupled transcription/translation reaction have an order of magnitude of 1 mg/ml. A prerequisite for this is a continuous supply of substrates and energy components and the simultaneous separation or dilution of the end products of the reaction. In this manner it is possible to maintain the reaction for many hours. Such an experimental set-up has been implemented in the principles of continuous exchange cell-free (CECF) or continuous flow cell-free (CFCF) protein synthesis (U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,730; EPA 0 593 757; EPA 0 312 612; Baranov & Spirin (1993) Meth. Enzym. 217, 123–142). CECF reactors are composed of at least two discrete chambers which are separated from one another by porous membranes. This porous interface retains the high-molecular components in the reaction chamber while low-molecular components can be exchanged between the reaction chamber and supply chamber. In CFCF methods a supply solution is pumped directly into the reaction chamber and the end products of the reaction are pressed out of the reaction compartment through one or several ultrafiltration membranes.

However, all these reactors and the reactions that proceed therein have the following general disadvantages:

-   -   The reactors are composed of membrane surfaces and several         chambers and are therefore complicated to manufacture.     -   If the batch size is changed (from a laboratory to a production         scale), new reactors have to be designed, constructed and         optimized.     -   The supply with substrates and the separation of the end         products takes place through membranes. The construction imposes         technical limitations on the available exchange surface since it         is not possible to achieve surface/volume ratios of any size.     -   The membranes can easily become blocked which impairs the supply         of the reaction.     -   The reaction solution and supply solution have to be         continuously mixed (e.g. by stirring or pump circulation) to         counteract gradients and undersupply.

A further problem with the reactors of the prior art is that in the case of a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins the lysates that are used are strongly diluted compared to the state in the E. coli cytosol. The reasons for this are 1. the lysis and preparation process for obtaining the lysate and 2. the dilution caused by the addition of all necessary components. This results in a reduced productivity since the equilibria of the macromolecular complexes are shifted to the dissociation side (law of mass action).

Several methods have already been described in the prior art to counteract this negative effect with the aim of increasing the active concentration of lysates. One method is to add high-molecular PEG (polyethylene glycol) to the reaction mixture which binds water and thus promotes the interaction of the remaining macromolecules (U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,856). A disadvantage of this method is that the reaction components and the accumulating product can aggregate and precipitate. Another method for concentrating lysates is to use the principle of reverse osmosis. In this method water is removed from the lysate through a semi-permeable surface (e.g. dialysis tube) by the action of a concentrated high-molecular solution of e.g. polyethylene glycol (Kigawa T. (1999) FEBS Lett. 442, 15–19). However, a disadvantage of this method is that it is too complicated. The latter also applies to the ultrafiltration method (U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,856) in which the lysate is concentrated before use by means of ultrafiltration. Also in this case an additional step is necessary to prepare the lysate.

The object of the present invention was to provide a reactor which is suitable for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction for the production of proteins and which overcomes the disadvantages of the reactors of the prior art. In addition processes should be provided which are suitable for an in vitro transcription/translation reaction for the production of proteins and do not have the disadvantages of the prior art. In addition the process according to the invention should counteract a dilution of the macromolecular components. In particular it is intended to provide a reactor and a process which allows protein production by an in vitro transcription/translation reaction on a large scale.

The invention concerns a reactor for reactions in which low-molecular and high-molecular reactants are involved and in which the reactor space contains a matrix which comprises a reaction compartment and a supply compartment wherein

-   -   the matrix consists of a porous material in which low-molecular         reactants can largely diffuse freely,     -   the high-molecular reactants cannot penetrate into the matrix,     -   the low-molecular reactants cannot distribute within the entire         reactor space V_(R),     -   the matrix volume V_(M) is available as a supply compartment and     -   the exclusion volume V₀ of the matrix is available as the         reaction compartment.

In the reactor according to the invention the reaction compartment and supply compartment can be present in one reactor space as a result of the matrix structure of the reactor space. This variant is preferred. However it is also conceivable that the reaction compartment and supply compartment are present in one reaction space and that there is an additional supply reservoir which is connected directly to the reactor space or via a semi-permeable membrane.

Porous materials are used as the matrix and can be inorganic materials e.g. aluminium oxide and/or organic materials e.g. gels. The matrix must be weftable or capable of swelling in aqueous solution and have molecular sieve properties. According to the invention aqueous solution also refers to solutions that only contain 50% by volume water. In a preferred embodiment the matrix consists of polymers, cross-linked polymers (e.g. dextran), copolymers (e.g. polyacrylamide) or inorganic gels. A matrix is particularly preferred which comprises particles having a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm. Matrices are preferred that have a low specific material density with reference to the form that is ready for use (i.e. hydrated). The specific material density is usually less than 0.5 g/ml, preferably less than 0.3 g/ml. The surface of the matrix particles (calculated as the surface of a sphere) is preferably in the range of 0.004 to 40 m²/ml bed volume. The matrix is also defined by an exclusion limit (exclusion molecular weight) for macromolecules. The exclusion limit can be in the range of 0.5 to 300 kDa. An exclusion limit between 2 and 300 kDa is preferred and an exclusion limit between 10 and 100 kDa is particularly preferred. Suitable materials are commercially available (e.g. Sephadex®, Pharmacia; Bio-Gel®, BIO-RAD). It is possible to use a material with a uniform or different particle sizes. Mixtures of different materials can also be used. The matrix itself consists of an inert material which does not itself participate in the reaction, not even as catalyst. However, substances e.g. enzymes can be bound to this inert matrix as required.

The reactor space is completely or partially filled with this porous matrix material. A minimum filling of the reactor with matrix is necessary to achieve the inventive effect. The inventive effect can no longer be expected below 20 vol. % (bed volume). Of course in individual cases a matrix filling of for example 19.9% by volume should not be excluded. Hence, the reactor according to the invention is filled with at least ca. 20 vol % and particularly preferably with at least ca. 30 vol % of the porous matrix material. The variant in which the reactor is completely filled with porous matrix material is particularly preferred. A range of 80–100 vol % is extremely preferred.

The matrix divides the reactor volume into at least two compartments. One space that can only be occupied by low-molecular components and a space in which low-molecular as well as all high-molecular components reside. As a first approximation the resulting final concentrations of the reactants are determined by the sizes of the distribution spaces which they can reach.

The total reactor volume V_(R) is occupied by the components having a molecular weight that is substantially below the exclusion limit of the matrix. This applies to substrates, buffer substances, salts and low-molecular inhibitors, activators or stabilizers. This also applies especially to low-molecular reaction end products which could potentially inhibit the reaction (e.g. product inhibition) or whose accumulation could change the general reaction conditions (e.g. pH value) and thus retard the reaction.

The high-molecular components cannot penetrate into the matrix. Their only distribution space is the volume between the particles of the matrix i.e. the exclusion volume V₀. This space is calculated from the total reactor volume minus the matrix volume (V₀=V_(R)−V_(M)) and equates with the reaction compartment. The reaction and supply compartments communicate with one another via short diffusion paths and via an extremely large exchange area. The volume ratio of the reaction compartment V₀ to the supply compartment V_(M) depends on the nature, the size and the structural properties of the matrix and on the amount of matrix added. The ratio V_(R)/V_(M) can be varied within a wide range.

The reaction volume for a particular fraction of macromolecules can be increased by mixing gel materials with different exclusion limits (e.g. 10 kDa and 200 kDa). Thus in this example the volume for ribosomes, DNA template and mRNA was minimized (molecular weight >200 kDa) whereas the loading of the tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthases (molecular weight <100 kDa) takes place in an expanded reaction space. This can be used to optimize the conditions for partial reactions.

The structure of the porous matrix also allows a specific modification of the surface or lumen. Enzymatic functions such as modified enzymes (restriction proteases) or an energy-regenerating enzyme system can be introduced into the system in a particular ratio immobilized on special particles. Chemical modification of the lumen would allow the specific adsorption of inhibitory substances.

The construction design of the matrix reactor allows a simple scale up from a laboratory into a production scale. In the simplest case commercial chromatography columns can be used as reactors which are available in sizes between 10 ml and 1000 liters. Once optimized the processes can be converted into a larger scale in a simple, quick and cost-effective manner. This considerably reduces the amount of planning, construction and evaluation of the reactors and production plants. The reactor material can vary from stainless steel to plastic or glass. However, other materials can also be used.

The reactor according to the invention differs from reactors that have been previously available

-   -   by a very large exchange area between the supply compartment         V_(M) and reactor compartment V₀ and a substantially free         diffusion of substrates between the two compartments,     -   by extremely short diffusion paths between the supply         compartment V_(M) and reaction compartment V₀ which ensures an         efficient supply to the reaction and eliminates the problem of         gradient formation. It is not necessary to stir or mix.     -   by a simply construction and cost-effective manufacture.     -   by a simple transferability of the conditions optimized on a         small scale to larger dimensions.

For the first time it is possible to exploit the special potentials of in vitro protein synthesis such as the production of toxic proteins or the incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins on a large scale and in an economic manner.

Potential embodiments of the reactor according to the invention are described in the following (see FIG. 1).

1) Matrix Column Reactor

-   -   The reactor consists of a chamber/column which is completely         filled with matrix (total volume =V_(R)).     -   The supply compartment corresponds to the matrix volume (V_(M)).     -   The reaction compartment corresponds to the exclusion volume V₀         of the matrix.     -   The exclusion limit of the matrix is in the range of 0.5–300         kDa, preferably 2 to 300 kDa.     -   The reactor has an inlet (above) and outlet (below) for         solutions.     -   The supply of solution results in a steady flow of the liquid         column towards the outlet.     -   The reactor can be thermostatted.

Hence a matrix reactor is particularly preferred in which the matrix is a gel matrix. In particular a matrix reactor is preferred in which the reactor space has a cylindrical shape. Hence a preferred embodiment is a reactor in which the reactor is a chromatographic column filled with a gel matrix that can be thermostatted. In particular it is preferred that the matrix has an exclusion limit in the range of 2–300 kDa.

The reactor principle according to the invention can also be advantageously combined with established reactor types (batch, CECF, CFCF). This can lead to an improved yield due to increased productivity. Since smaller amounts of raw materials are required to reach the optimal concentration (e.g. DNA template, T7 polymerase, tRNAs), the inventive principle can also contribute to a cost reduction.

2) Matrix Batch Reactor

-   -   The reactor consists of a sealable reaction vessel.     -   The reactor has a sufficient volume to hold the reaction         solution and a variable amount of gel matrix.     -   The reactor can be thermostatted (e.g. in a water bath).         3) CECF Reactor Containing a Matrix     -   The reactor is a CECF reactor comprising at least two chambers         which are connected by one or several semi-permeable         membrane(s).     -   The reactor comprises at least one reaction chamber and at least         one supply chamber.     -   The reaction chamber is partially or completely filled with a         gel matrix.     -   The reactor can be thermostatted (e.g. incubator).     -   The reactor can optionally be stirred or shaken.         4) CFCF Reactor Containing a Matrix     -   The CFCF reactor comprises at least one chamber with an inlet         opening and at least one porous surface.     -   This chamber is the reaction chamber and is partially or         completely filled with matrix.     -   The supply solution can be pumped into the reaction chamber         through the opening. The consumed supply solution is pressed out         of the reaction chamber through an ultrafiltration membrane.     -   The reactor can be thermostatted (e.g. incubator).     -   The reaction solution can optionally be agitated by stirring,         shaking or pump circulation.

An additional subject matter of the present invention is a process for producing products in the inventive reactor wherein the starting materials are low-molecular and high-molecular educts characterized in that

-   -   the low-molecular components of the reaction mixture and in         particular the substrates consumed by the reaction are         distributed largely homogenFously in the entire reactor space         V_(R),     -   only the exclusion volume of the matrix V₀ in the reactor space         is available to the high-molecular components and in particular         to the catalytically active reactants and     -   the substrates can only be converted (reacted) in the exclusion         volume of the matrix V₀.

The process according to the invention is preferably an enzymatic process in which one or several substrates are converted into one or several products by one or several enzymes. The reactor can in particular be used in processes for a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins.

The high-molecular components are ribosomes, tRNAs, DNA templates, RNA polymerases, mRNA and enzymes of intermediary metabolism (e.g. aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, transformylase, pyrophosphatase, nucleotide kinases) and the energy-regenerating system (e.g. acetate kinase, pyruvate kinase, creatine kinase, glycolytic enzymes, enzymes of the citrate cycle) and regulatory proteins (e.g. initiation factors, elongation factors, termination factors) and factors which support protein folding and carry out protein modifications.

The low-molecular components include substrates (the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP, a secondary energy substrate such as e.g. acetyl phosphate) and effectors (buffer substance, salts, reducing compounds, folic acid, inhibitors, stabilizers). Low-molecular compounds are defined by the invention as being smaller than the exclusion limit of the matrix. Correspondingly high-molecular compounds are larger than the exclusion limit. Column processes are particularly preferred which are characterized in that

-   -   the gel matrix is incorporated into the reactor space.     -   the gel matrix is equilibrated with the supply solution and is         thermostatted at the reaction temperature (whereby the         equilibration of the gel matrix can occur before or after the         incorporation),     -   the reaction solution is applied to the column,     -   the reaction solution is stirred in the column for the duration         of the reaction (static process) or is pumped slowly through the         column (dynamic process) and     -   after completion of the reaction the reaction solution         containing the product is eluted from the column.

The inventive processes also include improvements to batch processes and processes with a continues supply.

Batch process: The addition of gel matrix equilibrated with supply solution to a batch reaction mixture allows the reaction period to be increased due to the improved substrate availability. As a first approximation adding the gel matrix results in no increase in volume for the high-molecular reactants and thus the reaction is not impaired by dilution effects. Overall the addition of matrix leads to an increased productivity with reference to the lysate.

CECF and CFCF processes: The presence of gel matrix in the reaction space leads overall to less dilution of the high-molecular reactants which increases the productivity with reference to the lysate. In this case

-   -   the gel matrix equilibrated with supply solution is incorporated         into the reaction chamber of a CECF or CFCF reactor,     -   the reaction solution containing the high-molecular reactants is         filled into the reaction chamber which starts the in vitro         transcription/translation reaction to produce protein,     -   in the case of the CECF process the supply chamber is filled         with supply solution,     -   in the case of the CFCF process the supply solution is pumped         continuously into the reaction chamber,     -   the reaction mixture is stirred or shaken for the duration of         the reaction at a defined temperature and     -   the reaction solution containing the product is removed from the         reaction chamber at the end of the reaction.

The present invention also encompasses formulations for carrying out a coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction to produce proteins. These formulations are especially suitable for producing proteins in the inventive matrix reactor. All the components required for the coupled in vitro transcription/translation to produce proteins are divided among two solutions i.e. the supply solution and reaction solution. The supply solution only contains low-molecular components such as buffers, salts, substrates and effectors. Suitable buffers and salts are e.g. Hepes or Tris, potassium ions, magnesium ions and ammonium ions. The required substrates are the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, the four ribonucleotides ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP or suitable metabolic precursors e.g. AMP, GMP, CMP, UMP and a secondary energy substrate such as phosphoenolpyruvate, creatine phosphate or acetyl phosphate or a suitable metabolic precursor of such substances. Effectors are substances which have a positive influence on the reaction or which suppress negative effects. These include one or several reducing compounds, in particular compounds containing thiol groups such as dithiothreitol, dithioerythrol, glutathione, mercaptoethane sulfonic acid, and additionally protein-stabilizing compounds such as glycerol, sugars, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, detergents, co-factors as well as activators such as co-enzymes and co-substrates of intermediary metabolism e.g. folic acid, NAD/NADH, NADP/NADPH or precursors thereof, additionally inhibitors to suppress undesired side reactions such as rifampicin, Rnase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, azide.

The reaction solution contains the required high-molecular components and can also contain some or all of the low-molecular components of the supply solution. The basis of the reaction solution and source of many of the high-molecular components is a cell lysate. This lysate can be obtained from prokaryotic (e.g. E. coli) or from eukaryotic cells (e.g. yeast, reticulocytes, wheat embryos). Such lysates are usually obtained by cell lysis and separation of the particulate fraction (e.g. by centrifugation). These processes are well-known to a person skilled in the art from the literature. Lysates obtained in this manner can be added directly to the reaction solution or can be firstly processed and/or fractionated (e.g. by dialysis, precipitation, differential centrifugation, chromatographic methods, concentration steps) and added in the form of several suitable fractions.

The coupled in vitro transcription/translation reaction for producing proteins is extremely complex and requires a large number of cellular components. At present it is not possible to assume that the entirety of all these components is known or that their function is already fully understood.

High-molecular components which are introduced by the lysate are ribosomes, transfer RNAs, regulatory proteins and enzymes. The regulatory proteins are in particular initiation factors, elongation factors and termination factors of translation. Enzyme components are for example aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, enzyme systems for energy supply and conversion (e.g. acetate kinase, pyruvate kinase, creatine kinase, nucleoside diphosphate kinases, nucleoside monophosphate kinases, enzymes of glycolysis and of the citric acid cycle) and enzymes of intermediary metabolism such as pyrophosphatase, transformylase, transaminases. Furthermore it can be assumed that other components of the lysate are necessary for an efficient transcription and translation.

Other high-molecular substances are added to the reaction solution as individual components. These include transfer RNAs, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase preferably a viral polymerase such as T7-RNA polymerase, T3-RNA polymerase, SP6 RNA polymerase. Additionally enzymes to regenerate the energy components and enzymes of intermediary metabolism which are not contained in the lysate or not in an adequate quantity (e.g. creatine kinase, pyruvate kinase, pyrophosphatase). Additionally high-molecular inhibitors (e.g. RNasin). Additionally enzyme systems that are necessary for efficient and correct folding of proteins (e.g. chaperones, protein disulfide isomerase, peptidyl prolyl-cis-trans-isomerase). Additionally enzymes that are necessary for post-transcriptional modifications of proteins. Additionally macromolecular components which stabilize proteins or keep them in solution.

A circular (e.g. plasmid) or linear nucleic acid (e.g. PCR product) is added to the reaction solution as a template for the protein to be transcribed and translated. The code for the protein (e.g. a cDNA sequence) and in addition regulatory sequences which are required by the system for the correct transcription and translation are located on this template. These include for example a promoter sequence, ribosomal binding site, start codon, stop codon, polymerase termination sequence and translation enhancer. In addition the template can also contain regions that are necessary for cloning, amplification or mRNA stabilization.

In a preferred embodiment the supply solution has the following composition: 150–300 mM potassium acetate, 4–20 mM magnesium acetate, 1–10% glycerol, 0.5–2.5 mM ATP, 0.5–2.5 mM CTP, 0.5–2.5 mM GTP, 0.5–2.5 mM UTP, 0.1–2 mM of each amino acid (all 20 naturally occurring amino acids), 10.8 μg/ml folic acid, 0.5–5 mM EDTA, 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.6/30° C., 1 μg/ml rifampicin, 0.03% sodium azide, 10–100 mM acetyl phosphate, 1–10 mM dithiothreitol, 1–10 mM mercaptoethane sulfonic acid, 70 mM KOH.

In a preferred embodiment the reaction solution has the following composition: 150–300 mM potassium acetate, 4–20 mM magnesium acetate, 1–10% glycerol, 0.5–2.5 mM ATP, 0.5–2.5 mM CTP, 0.5–2.5 mM GTP, 0.5–2.5 mM UTP, 0.1–2 mM of each amino acid (all 20 naturally occurring amino acids), 10.8 pg/ml folic acid, 0.5–5 mM EDTA, 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.6/30° C., 1 μg/ml rifampicin, 0.03% sodium azide, 10–100 mM acetyl phosphate, 480 μg/ml tRNA from E. coli MRE600, 1–10 mM dithiothreitol, 1–10 mM mercaptoethane sulfonic acid, 70 mM KOH, 0.1 U/μl Rnase inhibitor, 1–20 μg/ml template, 100–500 μl/ml E. coli A19 lysate, 1–10 U/μl T7-RNA polymerase.

Thus the present invention also concerns the use of the inventive reactors for enzymatic reactions in particular for coupled in vitro transcription/translation reactions to produce proteins.

It is also conceivable that the reactor according to the invention could be used for reactions that proceed individually e.g. only the translation reaction to produce proteins or only the in vitro transcription reaction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1:

Possible embodiment of the matrix column reactor and the description of V_(R) (reactor volume), V_(M) (matrix volume) and V₀ (exclusion volume).

FIG. 2:

Synthesis of a GFP in a batch reaction with and without addition of equilibrated matrix (example 1).

FIG. 3:

Synthesis of GFP in a CECF reactor and a CECF reactor containing matrix in the reaction chamber. Both reactions were carried out with the same reagents (example 2).

FIG. 4:

Synthesis of GFP in a CECF reactor and in a column reactor of comparable dimensions. Both reactions were carried out with the same reagents (example 3).

FIG. 5:

Synthesis of GFP in a CECF reactor and in column reactors (static process). The column reactors were loaded with 1 ml and 3 ml reaction solution. All reactions were carried out with the same reagents (example 4).

FIG. 6:

Synthesis of GFP in a 200 ml column reactor (dynamic process). 20 ml reaction solution was applied. A 0.1 ml batch reaction and a 1 ml CECF reaction were carried out using the same reagents as controls (example 5).

FIG. 7:

Plasmid map and sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) of the GFP expression vector pIVEX2.1-GFP.

FIG. 8:

Plasmid map and sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) of the CAT expression vector pIVEX 1.1-CAT.

EXAMPLES

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples. The listed reaction components, reactors and the GFP determination and CAT determination apply to all listed examples.

Cell-free protein synthesis of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) as examples is used to test the reactor according to the invention and the inventive process. Cell-free protein synthesis is carried out as a coupled transcription/translation reaction. The GFP-cDNA and CAT-cDNA is coded on an expression plasmid that is under the control of a T7 phage promoter. Transcription into mRNA takes place correspondingly by means of the DNA-dependent T7-RNA polymerase. The mRNA transcribed in vitro in this manner is translated into protein with the aid of the E. coli lysate that is present in the coupled system.

A) Reaction Components

-   1. Plasmids: pIVEX2.1-GFP contains the sequence for the green     fluorescent protein from Aequoria victori in the form of a mutant     GFPcycle3 (27 kDa) (Nature Biotechnology (1996) 14, 314–319); the     coding region of the GFPcycle3 mutant was cloned into pTU58 instead     of the wild type GFP sequence (Science (1994) 263, 802), (see FIG.     7/SEQ ID NO: 1). pIVEX 1.1-CAT contains the gene for chloramphenicol     acetyl transferase from E. coli (see FIG. 8/SEQ ID NO: 2). -   2. E. coli S30 lysate: The lysate was prepared using an E. coli A19     strain by a modified method according to Zubay (Annu. Rev.     Genet. (1973) 7, 267). Modified lysate buffer: 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH     7.6/30° C., 14 mM magnesium acetate, 60 mM potassium acetate, 0.5 mM     dithiothreitol. Differences in the yields in the various experiments     are due to the different lysate preparations. -   3. Reaction solution: 185 mM potassium acetate, 15 mM magnesium     acetate, 4% glycerol, 2.06 mM ATP, 1.02 mM CTP, 1.64 mM GTP, 1.02 mM     UTP, 257 μM of each amino acid (all 20 naturally occurring amino     acids), 10.8 μg/ml folic acid, 1.03 mM EDTA, 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH     7.6/30° C., 1 μg/ml rifampicin, 0.03% sodium azide, 40 mM acetyl     phosphate, 480 μg/ml tRNA from E. coli MRE600, 2 mM dithiothreitol,     10 mM mercaptoethane sulfonic acid, 70 mM KOH, 0.1 U/μl Rnase     inhibitor, 15 μg/ml plasmid, 220 μl/ml E. coli A19 lysate, 2 U/μl     T7-RNA polymerase. -   4. Supply solution: 185 mM potassium acetate, 15 mM magnesium     acetate, 4% glycerol, 2.06 mM ATP, 1.02 mM CTP, 1.64 mM GTP, 1.02 mM     UTP, 257 μM of each amino acid (all 20 naturally occurring amino     acids), 10.8 μg/ml folic acid, 1.03 mM EDTA, 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH     7.5/30° C., 1 μg/ml rifampicin, 0.03% sodium azide, 40 mM acetyl     phosphate, 2 mM dithiothreitol, 10 mM mercaptoethane sulfonic acid,     70 mM KOH. -   5. Equilibrated matrix: The gel matrices such as Sephadex G25 fine,     were washed in a swollen state according to the manufacturer's     instructions. Empty columns were packed by conventional methods for     chromatographic columns. The packed chromatographic columns were     equilibrated with 1–2 column volumes of supply solution. For batch     and CECF reactions, the gel matrix was equilibrated by suspending it     several times in the supply solution and sucked dry under a slight     underpressure. The matrix treated in this manner was added to the     batch mixture or incorporated into the CECF reactor.     B) Reactors

Sealable reaction vessels made of plastic were used for the batch reactions. The CECF reactors that were used comprise two chambers, the reaction chamber having a volume of 1 ml and the supply chamber having a volume of ca. 10 ml. The chambers are separated from one another by a 10 kDa dialysis membrane and can each be loaded through closable openings. Each chamber contains a magnetic stirrer bar. Ready-to-use PD10 columns (Pharmacia) or commercially available chromatographic columns (Pharmacia) that can be thermostatted and which were packed with gel matrix were used as matrix column reactors. All reactor types were operated at 30° C. Batch reaction mixtures were shaken, CECF reactions were stirred, matrix column reactors were loaded and eluted using pumps.

C) GFP Determination

GFP requires the presence of adequate amounts of oxygen in order to form the fluorophore. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the reaction solution is small and is not sufficient for complete conversion. Hence 11 samples were “matured” for 12 to 32 hours at 4° C. before the measurement. The samples were measured using a spectral fluorimeter from the Kontron Company, type Tegimenta SFM-25. The excitation was at a wavelength of 395 nm, the emission was determined at a wavelength of 510 nm.

Recombinant GFP from Roche Diagnostics, catalogue No. 1814524 was used as the standard. The calibration was carried out using standard solutions with concentrations of 1 μg/ml and 2 μg/ml.

For the measurement the samples were diluted 1:50 to 1:400 depending on the concentration with 100 mM HEPES-KOH pH 7.6/30° C., 14 mM magnesium acetate, 60 mM potassium acetate, 0.5 mM dithiothreitol.

D) CAT Determination

The CAT (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) determination was carried out enzymatically using the CAT FAST green fluorescent substrate (molecular probes) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

E. Procedure

Example 1 Matrix Batch Reactor Versus Batch Reactor

The composition of the batch reaction mixture is described above (identical with the reaction solution). The template plasmid was added last to the mixture in order to start the reaction. 1 ml aliquots of the reaction solution were added to sealable reaction vessels. 2 g equilibrated gel matrix (Sephadex G25, fine) was added to one of the reaction mixtures. The mixtures were sealed and incubated for four hours at 30° C. while shaking. The yield of GFP was determined by a standard protocol (see above).

Reaction mixture GFP yield* 1 ml batch reaction mixture  72.3 μg 1 ml batch reaction mixture + 2 g 116.7 μg equilibrated matrix *maturation not required due to an adequate supply of oxygen

Result: Adding the gel matrix increases the yield of fluorescence-active GFP by 61% compared to the standard batch reaction.

Example 2 CECF Reactor Containing Matrix Versus CECF Reactor

0.5 ml equilibrated gel matrix (Sephadex G-10) was incorporated into the reaction chamber of a CECF reactor (1 ml reaction chamber, 10 ml supply chamber). 0.5 ml of a reaction solution with a modified composition was filled into the reaction chamber. The high-molecular components of the reaction solution were in double concentration (960 μg/ml tRNA from E. coli MRE600, 0.2 U/μl Rnase inhibitor, 30 μg/ml plasmid, 440 μl/ml E. coli A19 lysate, 4 U/μl T7-RNA polymerase) and the concentration of the low-molecular components were in single concentration (i.e. as in the supply solution). 10 ml supply solution was filled into the supply chamber. The comparative reaction in the CECF reactor was carried out under standard conditions. I.e. 1 ml reaction solution containing 15 μg GFP plasmid was filled into the reaction chamber and ca. 10 ml supply solution was filled into the supply chamber. Both reactors were incubated at 30° C. for 20 hours while stirring (150 rpm). At the end of each reaction period the content of the reaction chambers was removed and the yields of synthesized GFP were determined by a standard protocol (see above).

Reaction mixture GFP yield* 1 ml CECF reaction mixture 208 μg 1 ml CECF reaction mixture containing 325 μg matrix *36 h maturation at 4° C.

Result: The incorporation of matrix into the reaction chamber of the CECF reactor increased the production of fluorescence-active GFP by 56%.

Example 3 Comparison of Matrix Column Reactor (1/10 Dimension) Versus CECF Reactor

The CECF reaction was carried out under standard conditions i.e. 1 ml reaction solution containing 15 μg GFP plasmid was filled into the reaction chamber and ca. 10 ml supply solution was filled into the supply chamber. The reactor was incubated for 20 hours at 30° C. while stirring (150 rpm). A commercial PD-10 column filled with Sephadex G25 (Pharmacia) was used as the matrix column reactor. The reactor parameters were estimated on the basis of information from the manufacturer as follows: V_(R)=8.3 ml, V₀=2.5 ml, V_(M)=5.6 ml. The column was equilibrated with 10 ml supply solution. After adding 1 ml reaction solution (15 μg GFP plasmid/ml) the column was closed and incubated for 6 hours at 30° C. At the end of each reaction period the reaction solution was removed from the CECF reactor, or the reaction solution was eluted from the PD-10 column.

The yield of synthesized GFP was determined by the standard protocol (see above).

Result:

Reaction mixture GFP yield* 1 ml CECF reaction mixture 477 μg 1 ml reaction mixture on PD-10 column 362 μg *20 h GFP maturation at 4° C.

The reaction which was carried out in the PD-10 column yielded 362 μg fluorescence-active GFP. This results in a productivity of 76% compared to the CECF reaction in the same dimension (1 ml).

Example 4 Matrix Column Reactor (3/10 Dimension, Static Process)

10 ml Sephadex G25,fine was packed into two chromatographic columns and subsequently each was equilibrated with 1 column volume of supply solution. The reactor parameters were estimated as follows on the basis of the information from the manufacturer: V_(R)=10 ml, V₀=3 ml, V_(M)=7 ml. 1 ml reaction solution was applied to column 1 and 3 ml reaction solution was applied to column 2. Subsequently the columns were closed and incubated for 20 hours at 30° C. A 1 ml batch reaction and a 1 ml reaction in a CECF reactor were carried out as controls (also for 20 hours at 30° C.). After completion of the reaction period the columns were eluted. The yield of synthesized GFP in each was determined by a standard protocol (see above).

GFP yield in μg/ml Reaction reaction of reaction total GFP mixture scale solution used yield in μg batch reaction 1 ml  15.3 μg/ml  15.3 μg CECF reactor 1 ml 168.6 μg/ml 168.6 μg matrix column 1 ml 204.3 μg/ml 204.3 μg reactor 1 matrix column 3 ml 151.3 μg/ml 453.9 μg reactor 2 *20 h maturationat 4° C.

Result: The reaction yields of the two column reactor runs are comparable to the yields of the CECF reactor relative to the amount of reaction solution used. In the case of column 2 which was loaded with a three-fold amount of reaction solution, it was possible to increase the overall yield by 2.2-fold.

Example 5 Synthesis of GFP in a Matrix Column Reactor (20/200 Dimension, Dynamic Process)

Sephadex G25,fine was packed into a jacketed chromatography column (Pharmacia) and subsequently equilibrated with one column volume supply solution. The reactor parameters were estimated on the basis of information from the manufacturer as follows: V_(R)=200 ml, V₀=60 ml, V_(M)=140 ml. The column was thermostatted at 30° C. by means of a water bath. 20 ml reaction solution that was started with 151 μg/ml GFP plasmid was pumped onto the column (120 ml/h). Subsequently the reaction solution was pumped through the matrix at a rate of 12 ml/h. The eluate was fractionated at 4° C. A CECF reaction (1 ml dimension) and a batch reaction (0.1 ml dimension) were carried out as controls using the same reaction mixture. The yield of synthesized GFP in the fractions and in the control mixtures was determined by a standard protocol (see above).

GFP yield in mg/ml Reaction reaction of reaction total GFP mixture scale solution used yield in μg matrix column  20 ml 0.76 mg/ml  15.2 mg reactor CECF reactor   1 ml 0.58 mg/ml  0.58 mg batch reaction 0.1 ml 0.13 mg/ml 0.013 mg

Result: 15.2 mg fluorescence-active GFP was produced within 10 hours in a matrix column reactor of 20 ml in size. Hence the yield was 0.76 mg/ml initial reaction solution. The yield in the CECF reactor of 0.58 mg/ml is in the range that is routinely obtained in this reactor type. Hence the matrix column reactor has a comparable productivity to the CECF reactor (131%). This experiment also shows that the dimensions can be increased by 20-fold without significant losses of yield compared to a 1 ml CECF mixture.

Example 6 CAT Synthesis in a Matrix Column Reactor (12.5/125 Dimension, Dynamic Process)

Sephadex G25,fine was packed into a jacketed chromatography column (Pharmacia) and subsequently equilibrated with one column volume supply solution (30 ml/h). The reactor parameters were estimated on the basis of information from the manufacturer as follows: V_(R)=125 ml, V_(M)=87.5 ml, V₀=37.5 ml. The column was thermostatted at 30° C. by means of a water bath. 12.5 ml reaction solution that was started with 15 μg/ml pIVEX 1.1-CAT plasmid was pumped onto the column (18 ml/h). Afterwards the reaction solution was pumped through the reactor at a rate of 3.6 ml/h. The eluate was fractionated at 4° C. The yield of functionally-active CAT was determined by means of an enzymatic fluorescence test.

CAT yield in mg/ml Reaction reaction of reaction total yield mixture scale solution used of CAT matrix column 12.5 ml 0.53 mg/ml 6.6 mg reactor

Result: 6.6 mg CAT enzyme was produced in a 12.5 ml reaction mix in the matrix column reactor.

Example 7 CAT Synthesis in a Matrix Batch Reactor

Two 50 μl batch reactions were started with 15 μg/ml pIVEX 1.1-CAT. The reactions were firstly incubated at 30° C. After 30 minutes 100 mg equilibrated matrix (Sephadex G25,fine) was added to one batch. After 6 hours the yield of functionally-active CAT enzyme was determined by means of a fluorescence test.

CAT yield in mg/ml Reaction reaction of reaction total yield mixture scale solution used of CAT batch reaction  50 μl  83 μg/ml 4.2 μg matrix batch  50 μl + 154 μg/ml 7.7 μg reactor 100 mg matrix

Result: The yield was increased by 74% by adding equilibrated matrix.

Example 8 Variation of the Amount of Matrix in the Matrix Batch Reactor

50 μl batch reactions were started with 15 μg/ml pIVEX 2.1-GFP. The reactions were incubated at 30° C. After 30 minutes various amounts (0 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg) of equilibrated matrix (Sephadex G25,fine) were added to the mixtures. After a reaction period of 5 hours the mixtures were kept at 4° C. to mature the GFP that was produced.

GFP yield in mg/ml Reaction reaction of reaction total yield mixture scale solution used of GFP* batch reaction 50 μl  64 μg/ml 3.2 μg matrix batch 50 μl + 50 111 μg/ml 5.6 μg reactor mg matrix matrix batch 50 μl + 100 156 μg/ml 7.8 μg reactor mg matrix matrix batch 50 μl + 150 160 μg/ml   8 mg reactor mg matrix *1 h GFP maturation at 4° C.

Result: The yield was increased by up to 250% by adding equilibrated matrix.

Example 9 Comparison of Different Gel Materials in the Matrix Column Reactor (1/10 Dimension, Dynamic Process)

Various gel materials (Sephadex, Bio-Gel) were swelled according to the manufacturer's instructions, packed into 10 ml columns and equilibrated with 15 ml supply solution. 1 ml reaction solution (15 μg/ml pIVEX 2.1-GFP) was applied to each column. Directly afterwards the reaction solution was washed with 200 μl supply solution. 1 ml aliquots of supply solution were added at intervals of two hours (incubator, 30° C.). The eluted fractions were collected and stored at 4° C. The yield of synthesized GFP in each was determined by a standard protocol (see above).

GFP yield in μg/ml reaction of reaction total yield Gel material scale solution used of GFP* Sephadex G25, 1 ml 126 μg/ml 126 μg medium Sephadex G50, 1 ml 121 μg/ml 121 μg fine Sephadex G75, 1 ml  30 μg/ml  30 μg fine Bio-Gel P6, 1 ml 180 μg/ml 180 μg medium Bio-Gel P10, 1 ml 251 μg/ml 251 μg medium Bio-Gel P30, 1 ml 201 μg/ml 201 μg medium *20 h GFP maturation at 4° C.

Result: Various gel materials which differed with regard to the type of polymer, particle size and exclusion molecular weight can be used in the matrix reactor. 

1. A process for carrying out a coupled in vitro transcription and translation reaction to produce proteins, said method comprising the steps of: providing a reactor, said reactor comprising walls that define a total reactor volume V_(R), a matrix comprising a porous material held within said total reactor volume, the matrix dividing the total reactor volume into a matrix volume V_(M) and a matrix exclusion volume V₀, the division based on the size of the matrix pores and in the absence of a membrane separating the matrix volume V_(M) and the matrix exclusion volume V₀, wherein at least 20 vol % of the total reactor volume is filled with said matrix, contacting said reactor with a supply solution, said supply solution comprising each of the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, ATP, GTP, CTP, and UTP, wherein said components of the supply solution have a molecular weight smaller than the pores of said matrix and are taken up into the matrix volume V_(M) and are distributed largely homogeneously in the total reactor volume V_(R), contacting said reactor with a reaction solution, said reaction solution comprising tRNAs, DNA templates, RNA polymerases, mRNA, and enzymes, wherein said tRNAs, DNA templates, RNA polymerases, mRNA, and enzymes each have a molecular weight larger than the pores of said matrix and are only localized in the matrix exclusion volume V₀, moving the reaction solution through the matrix exclusion volume V₀ while the reactor is thermostatted at a temperature conducive to in vitro transcription and translation, and obtaining said protein by recovering an eluate from the reactor.
 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix is first equilibrated with the supply solution, before the equilibrated matrix in the reactor volume is contacted with the reaction solution and wherein the reactor is maintained at a constant temperature.
 3. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reaction solution is applied to the column and the reaction solution is held in the column for the duration of the reaction.
 4. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reaction solution is applied to the column and additional reaction solution is pumped continuously or step-wise through the column for the duration of the reaction.
 5. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reactor is a batch reactor and the reaction solution and equilibrated matrix are brought together in the reactor volume, the added matrix volume being at least 20 vol % of the volume of the reactor volume.
 6. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reactor is a continuous exchange cell-free reactor having a reaction compartment, the matrix is incorporated into the reaction compartment of the continuous exchange cell-free reactor and the matrix volume is more than 20 vol % of the volume of the reaction compartment.
 7. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reactor is a continuous flow cell-free reactor having a reaction compartment, the matrix is incorporated into the reaction compartment of the continuous flow cell-free reactor and the matrix volume is more than 20 vol % of the volume of the reaction compartment.
 8. The process of claim 2 wherein said matrix comprises particles having a particle size in the range of 0.1 to 1000 μm.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein said matrix has an exclusion limit selected from a range of about 10 to about 100 kDa.
 10. The process of claim 9 wherein about 80 to about 100 vol % of the total reactor volume is filled with said matrix.
 11. The process of claim 8 wherein said matrix comprises a mixture of particles having different exclusion ranges independently selected from the range of about 10 to about 100 kDa. 